A few pics.

[kyle]

Elana. Baby blue has done very well 4 months old already! My molting guy was born the last clutch. All the others are finished molting. He's 8 months old so I'm beginning to think he's stuck in molt too bad too because he was close to finishing.

[monotwine]

Lovely birds. Such vibrant colours.

[Derk]

kyle
Look at you, a successful gouldian breeder! Congratulations! It was nice to meet you at the Birdmart Sunday. Sorry, I did not chat with you for very long. It seems I went a little bird crazy. I bought 7. One was a gouldian if that counts for anything. They are doing well and settling in nicely.

How many blues have you been able to locate?

[kyle]

Monotwine. thanks. Mary. Nice to have met you as well! Sounds like you did go a little bird crazy. Lol. 7 thats quite a few. I restrained myself and only got one. I was told by several breeder's that advertising for the mart was late and sales were disappointing. But for my first one I enjoyed it and had an opportunity to meet some local breeders. I have a blue hen and split male. My hen is still too young so will only set her up for breeding next year. This year I'm breeding two pairs a YH WB YB pair and RH WB GB/BB. Good luck with your CB's hope to hear about chick's soon!

[Derk]

kyle
I only recently found out there used to be only one bird mart. They have only had two a couple times. I am not sure how it is decided. Strange however...there were fewer vendors but it seemed many had more birds with them. I have never seen that many gouldians before. Did you speak to the lady from Langley? I think her granddaughter was with her. She thinks so many people entered the market to make a buck that they have flooded the market and caused the prices to drop drastically. I remember about two years ago, gouldians were priced at ~$120. Now even mutations are $60.

[Derk]

kyle

YH WB YB pair and RH WB GB/BB

Surprisingly, I followed all that except the GB/BB...oh, green body split to blue body? If I am right, would both of this birds parents have had RH WB to be described this way? If I am way of base, don't bother trying to explain as I have not read anything about Gouldian genetics yet.

[kyle]

Derk. Yes I did speak the breeder from Langley. As a matter of fact she sold me my first pair of gouldians last year. She told me the birds she was selling were given to her by a woman who lets her gouldians breed and becomes overwhelmed with babies not wanting to do the selling herself. The remark about wanting to make a quick buck I find ironic because she was selling birds that cost her nothing. I have only started this hobby a year ago because of the joy I get from these little birds and managed to bring 7 babies to adulthood. I sold 3 at the bird mart in hopes that I could place them with bird lovers and give them permanent home. The idea that you could come out ahead financially makes me laugh! There is no quick buck especially when you invest the time and money to raise healthy babies.
You have it right geen back split to blue.

[lovezebs]

kyle

I have to chuckle as well, at the idea of making any amount of money from our birds. You never come out ahead, nooooowhere even near to breaking even.

I think if you want to make any money, you have to become a broker, or run a bird mill (as in puppy mill) type of an outfit (the owners of which I would gladly chase around with a tire iron).

When I consider the amounts I have spent on Initially acquiring my birds, then add the amount I've spent on cages/flights/equipment, then add the astronomical amount on seeds, eggs, greens, fruit, vitamins, occasional meds, and electricity....... HOLY CROW !

The paltry amount that I get for occasionally selling a few birds, is pittance, when compared to the numbers above. So much so in fact, that I'd rather not think about it.

[Derk]

lovezebs
I PM'd you prior to reading this. I was lamenting the lack of lottery tickets, movies etc in lieu of buying bird supplies. The birds I let have a clutch so far are two zebras and I still have those babies. If I am smart, I will continue my lack of breeding because I am not sure I can part with any of them...especially if I manage to get some cordons or strawberries. I will be worried it was a one time thing and who will look after 'my' little babies.

@kyle
Wow! 7 babies! I think that should be commended shouldn't it? I don't think gouldians are a bird most would recommend for first time breeders.

[lovezebs]

Derk

Hi Mary.

Gouldians, I find, are much easier to breed, than some of the other species.

Given the right conditions (common sense), and a good diet, they breed readily, and make great parents (with some exceptions, as in any species).

I think years ago, they were considered fragile hot house flowers, and hard to keep alive and breed. This reputation has stuck, and is (In my opinion) no longer warranted.

[debbie276]

Absolutely agree with Elana!